SciTech

Ever hear of Tinder? Your next date could be on it

Dating sites like Match and Ok Cupid have great mobile
apps, but as the saying goes, “variety is the spice of life.” We’re rounding up
some lesser-known apps for finding love and planning dates.

Tinder is the hottest up-and-coming app for flirting. It
connects to Facebook and uses your location to find a match nearby.

It offers up a selection of possible matches. Swipe right
for matches you like or go left to leave ‘em in the dust. If someone you like
likes you too, the app will notify you and let you send messages to each other.
Tinder is free at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

A new app called Sway expands on that idea and adds quirky
descriptions to help you find your match.
Would you date someone described as a “brogrammer” or an “occupier”? If not, just swipe to rule
it out in future matches. The app is free at Apple’s App Store.

If all that swiping is too much to handle, an app called Coffee
Meets Bagel only gives you one match a day to consider. It also eases the fear
of meeting strangers by matching you with friends of your Facebook friends. And
if you pass up a match by accident and want a do-over – the app lets you
purchase a second chance. The app is free at Apple’s App Store.

But picking a person to date is only the beginning – now
you’ve got to plan a great night out. An app called Movie Night Out uses your
location to recommend a movie or location for coffee, dinner or a show. If you’re at a complete loss, the
app has a “Surprise Me" feature that will plan the whole evening for you. The
app is free at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

Or if you and your date want to collaborate on the plans, try an app called Better Half. It lets you and your partner sync up
your calendars, make reservations and share each other’s favorite movies and
restaurants. The app costs $.99 at Apple’s App Store.